Blue light...it's everywhere and it can be harmful.
At risk of sounding like a "grumpy old man" I have to say, get your kids off those tablets and smart phones! One of the inherent characteristics and little known facts about these devices is that they emit radiation inf the form of blue-violet light, which can cause harm to the eyes. So, let's learn a little about blue-violet light.
Blue-violet light can be found in the following places:
OUTDOORS: Alongside the UV rays we already know about, the sun emits blue-violet light all year long, with significant amounts reaching ground level whatever the weather (sunny, cloudy, rainy etc.)
INDOORS: Energy saving light-bulbs are also hazardous when it comes to blue-violet light. Use of energy saving lighting is commonplace in our homes, offices, shops and public buildings, with traditional lighting having been phased out in recent years Most modern (LED) display systems, including computers, tablets and new generation smart phones, also emit blue-violet light.
Of course we do need some “good” blue light (blue-turquoise) to help regulate our body clock and things like sleep, memory and brain performance. However, prolonged exposure to other forms of “bad” blue light (blue-violet) can lead to poor eye health and potentially put us at increased risk of AMD (age-related macular degeneration), a leading cause of blindness.
So what do we do not only as parents but as tablet, computer and smart phone users ourselves?
Shutting yourself off from blue light completely is neither practical nor advisable but there are things we can all do to protect our eyes and limit long-term damage:
Try to limit the amount of time you spend on tablets and smart phones, keeping your eyes as far away from the screen as possible and taking regular breaks
Boost your overall eye-health by eating green leafy vegetables and quitting smoking
If you wear prescription glasses (or even if you don’t) consider a lens that could help filter out potentially harmful light such as ultra-violet or blue-violet whilst allowing blue-turquoise light through
So, try not to use your smart phone, tablet or computer as a babysitter. The long term effects on the eyes is still unknown but potentially very harmful. As an adult you can help minimize your risks by getting your eyes checked. Listen to your doctor if he (or she) recommends blue light protection. New anti-reflective coatings are made for lenses, which provide this invaluable protection.
